Overload support for vehicles



April 18, 1961 R. o. PENCE OVERLOAD SUPPORT FOR VEHICLES Filed NOV. 29, 1957 Roscoe 0. Pence 1N VEN TOR.

Unit d Sm Pa e 2,980,417 -VERLOAD SUPPORT FOR VEHICLES Roscoe 0. Pence, Sterling, Kans. Filed Nov. 29, 1957, Ser.- No. 699,618

8 Claims. cream-3's This invention relates generally to attachments for vehicles, and more particularly to'an overload support-for vehicles.

The primary object of this invention is to providean overload support so that upon excessive load in an :automobile, or when the vehicle travels over rough terrain, it will provide additional support to the vehicle was to augment the regular springs of the automobile.

A further object of this invention is to provide an overload support, whereby initially the device is very resilient, and upon further depression of the rear of a vehicle the resiliency becomes less, 'sothat the vehicle will not sag and reach a position which is dangerously close to the ground.

.Another object of this invention is to provideran-overload support for vehicles, having spaced rubber cones with a spring interposed between,-so-that the springmay take-up the first portion of a load, and therubber cones may firmly, but resiliently, support any excessive load thereon.

Still a further object of this invention is togprovide a device when there is no metal to metal contact so that noise and squeaking-or scratching sounds are virtually eliminated.

An even further object of this invention 'is toprovide a device which will allow the springs-of a vehicle to retain the flexibility yet retaining steadiness and firmness so as to give'a-more level ride when the vehicle is overloaded.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a "simple-andinexpensive device and yet'one which is; excee dingly effective for the purpose for which --it {isdesigned.

These together with Other objects andadvantages which willbecome subsequently apparent'reside in the=details of 'construction and operation as morefully hereinafter described and claimed, reference A being bad to the accompanying drawings forming .apart hereof, wherein like. numerals refer to like parts throughout, -and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the device comprising the present invention, illustrating the same attached to certain elements of a vehicle;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along the plane defined by reference line 22 of Figure 1, illustrating details of construction thereof;

Figure 3 is a partial vertical sectional view taken through the device illustrating a method of connecting the upper cone to the vehicle frame assembly; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the hanger which is used to connect the coil spring to the vehicle frame.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral generally designates the overload support comprising the present invention, which would be interposed between a vehicle axle 12 and the vehicle frame member 14.

The overload support 10 is constructed of a bottom rubber cone 16, and'an upper rubber cone 18, both cones being tapered inwardly and toward each other. The lower cone 16 comprises a cone portion 20, a seat 22 formed at the lower end thereof and concentrically thereabout, and a base 24. The base 24 has a circular notch 26 formed in the bottom thereof soas to=accommodate axle 12.

An upwardly and outwardly tapered coil spring 28 has its lower coil 30 engaged in seat 22. The .upper end of coil spring 28 is disposed about upper rubber cone 1&- A metal reinforcing washer32is embedded into base 24 and the .lower cone '16, andthe outer edge of washer 32 is disposed outwardly of the center:line of lower coil 30, so that the corner of rubber between base 24 and seat 22 will not be sheared away by the force of coil spring 28. Thus, this reinforcing washer 32'serves to preserve the shape of and strengthen base 24.

Upper cone 18 is affixed to -a mounting plate 34 by any suitable means such as by cementing. A resilient washer 36, is disposed between mounting plate 34 and the :upper coil of spring 28, so that there will be .:no metal to metal contact, and thus noise caused thereby will-be prevented. A bolt 38 is passedthrough mounting ;plate 34, and ultimately into 'frame member 14 where it issecured in a threaded bore-4fl.

A horizontal opening ,42 is formed through frame member 14, and 'a-bolt 44 is passed .therethroughand locked therein by-a nut 46. Hangers 48 :are disposed aboutbolt 44 and exteriorly of the frame. Thesehangers-comprise a bight portion "50, legs :52 and loops::.5.4 formed'at the free ends thereof. Bight portions '50 of the hangers are disposed about bolts 44 with the loops 54 projecting downwardly therefrom. The upper .coil of, coil spring 28 is disposed through loops 5.4,i so that the-upper end of the coil spring is firmly affixed to :the frame member14.

, 'In use, when an excessive-load is-placed on the vehicle, the spring28 will be compressed'until the cones 18 and 20 contact each other. :Then, upon anincreased load the resiliency of the cones will allow the" vehicle to still be resiliently mounted, while ,giving a firmness and 'steadinessthereto. Also, the sagging of the vehicle toga dangerously low point will be prevented thereby.

It may now be seen*that I have shown and described a new and'improved type of overload support formehicles.

The foregoing is considered asillustrativeonly of-the principles 'of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occurtowthose skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention.to.the.exact constructionand operation shownand described, and accordingly all suitable.modifications and equivalents maybe resorted.to,ifalling.within.the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An overload support for vehicles comprising an upper rubber truncated cone, a lower rubber truncated cone, a coil spring disposed between said cones, said cones being tapered inwardly toward each other, means for connecting said upper cone to a vehicle frame member, the lower surface of said lower cone being provided with a concave notch adapted to seatingly receive the upper surfaces of a tubular axle housing and properly position the lower cone with respect to the axle housing upon movement of the vehicle frame downward toward the axle housing, a seat in said lower cone accommodating the lowermost coil of said spring, means for fixedly securing at least the uppermost coil of said spring to the vehicle frame member.

2. An overload support for vehicles comprising an upper rubber truncated cone, a lower rubber truncated cone, a coil spring disposed between said cones, said if a, n

cones being tapered inwardly toward each other, means- I for connecting said upper cone to a 'vehicle'frame mem-' her the lower surface of said lower cone being provided with 'a concave notch adapteditofseatingly re'ceive the 7 upper surfaces of a 't'iibular 'axlef housing and properly position the -lower cone with "respect to' the 'axl'e' housin upon movement of: the vehicle framej d'o'wnw' rd toward the-axle housing; a seat in" said lower cone accommodatin'gthe'lowermost'coil of said spring, means for fixedly securing at least the uppermost coil of said spring tothe vehicle frame meinber, cushioning means interposed be:

tween saidsp'ring and said vehicleifr'ame for eliminating v 'coneia" coil "spring dis'posed between 's aid"cones,'-lsaid conesfbeing tapered inwardly toward-each other, means for connecting 'said upper cone to a vehicle frame memberpthe'ilower surface of said lower cone being provided with a' concave notch adapted to seatir'igly rcceivethe upper-surfaces "of "a tubular axle housing" and properly position the lower'cone with'respect to the "axle housing upon movementof the vehicle frame downward toward the axle housing, a seat in saidllower coneaccommjodatinglthe lowermost coihof said spring, 'means for fixedly securing atleast the uppermostcoil fsaid pringtothe c vehicle frame membexya reinforcing member embedded in said lower cone under said seat a slight distance-beneath thelsurface'ofsaid lower cone'whereby the force t of said spring on said seat will be distributed more evenly throughout 'said lower cone; said reinforcing member extending outwardly beyond the center line of said lower- 7 T34. Anoverload support for'vehicles comprising an up said boltwithin said opening and v most coil whereby the edges of said lower'cone outwardly. z

per rubber truncatedscone', a lower rubber truncated cone,

a coil spring disposed between saidccones; said cones being tapered inwardly toward each-othe1 means for connecting said upper cone to a'f vehicle frame member, the -lower surface of said lower cone being provided with a concave notehadapted to'seatingly receive the upper for connecting said upper cone to a vehicle frame member, the lower surface of said lower cone being provided with a concave notch adapted to seatingly receive the upper surfaces of a tubular axle housing and properly position thelower cone with respect to theraxle housing upon movement of the vehicle frame downward toward the axle housing, a seat 'inisaid lower cone accommodating the "lowermost coil ,of, .said 7. spring, means for fixedly securing at least theuppermost coil of said spring to the vehicle fram e member, said securing means comprising at least one pair of hangers with a hanger of each pair mounted-on opposite sides of said frame member with said hangers engagipgm .least the uppermost coil of said spring in'diame'tric relation.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said hangers comprise two vertically extending legs, a bight portion connecting said legs at the upper ends thereof, loops "formed in'thelower-endsof'said legs, means securing 'said bight portion to said frame member, said-loops encircling at least the uppermost .coilof said spring.

1 1. 1m combination of claim'-6 includinga horizontal opening formed through said{ frame member, wherein said 1 last: mentioned means" comprises a "bolt extending through said opening, the ends of said boltpassing betweenthejarins of each'hanger, said hangers being disposed exteriorlycf said frame member,"a'nut threadin'gly engaged with one'end of said bolt thereby locking securing said hangers to said frame member. 7 1 I -8.' An overload-support for?vehicles comprising an upper truncated cone, a resilient lowertruncated cone, a coil spring'disposedbetween said cones, said cones being tapered inwardly' toward cachbtlier, means for connecting said upper-cone to 'a vehiclelfrar'ne, the lower surface of said lower cone being provided witha concave notch-adapted to seatingly receive the upper sur faces of a tubularaxle housing and properly position the lower cone' with respect to the axle housingupon; movement surfacesof a tubular axle housing andproper lyfposition the"{lowef cone iiwithfrespect to the axle hotising tipon movement of the vehicle frame dowaward toward the axllefltiousingl-a seat in said lowerfcone' acconimodating the lowermost coil of "said 'spring, -meaiis for fixedly securing at.least-the uppefmost coilof said spra to the vehicle frame member, a washer embedded in said lower cone under said se at,-the outr edge of saidwasher bdttbmko'il of said spring, overload support being disposed outwardly froni the center of cones being tapered inwardly toward each other, means K A fof vehicles comprising an i upperrubber truncated cone," a lower rubber truncated cone, a "coil spring disposed between. said cones, said of the vehicle frame "downward toward the axle housing} said 'truricated'cone comprising a bumper for engagement with said axle and said concave notch adapted to comprise the sole direct engagement of said overload withsaid axle. g e

References Cited the iile of "patent p v UNI 'l'ED SIATESPATENTS 1999145 i {vas Feb. '5, 1878 4913117 "France Sept. 9, 1919 

